by Jennifer Reece
Reporter
Hudson -- For more than 41 years, Jane Caniglia and her two daughters, Alice and Harriett, have been helping to keep local homes looking beautiful.
As the owners of The Side Door at 5204 Darrow Road in Hudson, the three women have sold more live flowers, silk arrangements and home decor gifts than they would ever be able to count.
But come Feb. 2, the business will close its doors for good.
"We've been very blessed for more than 40 years," said Harriett Caniglia Smith. "The hard part will be leaving our customers."
At age 87, Jane said she is ready for retirement.
"It is wonderful," Jane said. "We can now do what we want to do."
Both Alice and Harriett share similar sentiments, though they admit it will take a little getting used to.
"Everything is bittersweet," said Harriett.
A family affair
When Jane was just 16, her father opened Wheeler's Fruit Market, right in front of where The Side Door is now.
As an only child, she helped her family by working at the business. Once she married Arthur Caniglia and had three children, the work became even more of a family affair.
"Everybody worked, practically from the time they were born," said Jane.
In 1966, The Side Door opened as one small room.
"We just kept adding on and on," recalled Harriett.
The family kept the business going six days a week. In November and December, they also were open on Sundays.
Harriett said without a doubt, the busiest time of the year was around the holidays.
"Our customers will miss our annual Christmas open house," said Harriett.
Although the holiday shopping season kept business booming, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day were the busiest individual days of the year.
Up until five years ago, son Stanley and his wife, Faith, operated Wheeler's Garden Center next door. It has since been sold and is now called Cardinal Growers. It will remain open during its usual seasonal hours.
The building for The Side Door, owned by the Caniglias, will remain vacant for now. Harriett said the family has no plans to lease or sell the building in the immediate future.
Though the Caniglia family worked closely together for many years, Jane said it has been a good experience for all.
"We never had any fights," she said.
For now, store traffic has been busy with shoppers coming through for the store's closing sale.
Harriett said it is difficult saying good-bye to customers who have been loyal throughout the years.
"Most of them are sad, but they also are happy because they said they appreciate our kindness over the years," she said.
E-mail: jreece@recordpub.com
Phone: 330-688-0088 ext. 3145